Pyropteron minianiformis destituta (Staudinger, 1894)

(Figs 66–70, 80, 87, 88)

Sesia minianiformis var. destituta Staudinger, 1894: Deutsche Entomologische Zeitschrift Iris, 7: 253. Lectotype: ♂, Turkey, Taurus Mts (MFNB).

Pyropteron minianiformis aphrodite Bartsch, 2004: Entomologische Zeitschrift, 114 (2): 83, 85 Figs 4–5. Holotype: ♂, Cyprus, District Pafos, vic. Tala-Kissonerga, 100–200 m, e.l. ex Rumex conglomeratus (SMNS) (syn. nov.).

In this subspecies, the orange coloration of the forewings is reduced and the discal spot is usually broader black. Specimens from Cyprus, described as ssp. aphrodite are more colourful than those from mainland Turkey. The posterior margins of abdominal tergites 2, 4–6 (7 in male) are very broad and bright orange-yellow, especially in females. However, we did not find significant differences in the structure of the genitalia, and barcode analysis grouped the specimens together with the ones from the mainland. We therefore consider P. minianiformis aphrodite (syn. nov.) a junior subjective synonym of P. minianiformis destituta.

Distribution. This subspecies appears to be isolated from the nominal subspecies and distributed along the Taurus Mts of Southern Turkey and in Cyprus (Špatenka et al. 1999, Garrevoet et al. 2007, Bartsch 2004). We are not aware of a wider distribution in western Turkey. This requires further investigation.

Specimens examined. 4♂, S Turkey, Kirit, 500m, 28. V.1992, leg. Riefenstahl (1♂ Bartsch gen. prep. 2019- 19) (Fig. 80); 1♀ (Fig. 68), S Turkey, Antalya, Saklikent, 1200m, 29. VI.2002, leg. Riefenstahl (Bartsch gen. prep. 2019-18) (Fig. 87) (CCDB-14564-H03); 1♂ (Figs 66–67), ibid., 900m, 28.–29. VI.2002, leg. Riefenstahl (CCDB- 14564-E12); 1♂, ibid., 1100m, 19.VII.1993, leg. Riefenstahl (CCDB-14564-H01) (SMNS); 1♂, Turkey, Antalya, Saklikent, 1000m, 29. VI.1998, leg. DB (CDB); 1♂, Turkey, S Turkey, Kirit, 500 m, 28. V.1992, leg. H. Riefenstahl, det K. Špatenka (CFP). Type material of ssp. aphrodite: Holotype ♂ with labels: “ Cyprus, Pafos, / vic. Tala-Kissonerga, / 100–200m, e.l. 10. V. ex / Rumex conglomeratus / 30. März 2000, 34°50’N, / 32°25’E, leg. D. Bartsch ”; “ Holotypus / Pyropteron minianiformis / aphrodite / ♂ / D. Bartsch des 2004” (SMNS). Paratypes of aphrodite, 3♂ (Fig. 69), 1♀ (Fig. 53), same data as holotype, e.l. 6.–14. V.2000; 1♀, Cyprus, District Pafos, 2km N Giolou, 150m, e.l. ex R. pulcher larva 29.III., adult 5. VI.2000, leg. DB (Bartsch gen. prep. 2019-44) (Fig. 88); 1♂, 1♀, Cyprus, District Pafos, Chrysochou Bay, Galia, 150m, e.l. ex R. conglomeratus larvae 27.III., adults 8. V. and 19. V.2000, leg. DB (CDB).